Lubrication system



April 29, 1952 c. c. s. LE CLAIR 2594320 LUBRICATION SYSTEM A HomeyApril 29, 1952 c. c. s. LE CLAIR LUBRICATION SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed Feb. 12, 1947 April 29, 1952 c. c. s. Lr: CLAIR LUBRICATION SYSTEM4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. l2, 1947 Inventor www.

Patented Apr. 29, 1952 LUBRICATIGN SYSTEM Camille Clare SpranklingLeClair, Acton, London,

England, assigner to TecalemitLimited, Brentford, England, acorporationof Great Britain.

Application .February 12, 1947,Serial.No..7278,082,

In Great Britain February 2Q, 19461 zo claims. (ci. 13T-69);

This invention relates to lubrication systems of the kind in whichlubricant is dischargedV at high pressure by means of a grease gun orother high-pressure lubricant-discharging device l'nto a nipple orlubricant-receiving device which is usually attached or connectedpermanently tothe part to be lubricated. The invention also relates tolubrication systems in which the grease gun or equivalent is providedwith, or is connectedrto, a. nozzle which is provided with jaws or otherdevice whereby the nozzle may be detachably applied or attached bydirect thrust, or by pull-on, or lateral or other method ofengagement-to the nipple, which latter may be formed -with a flange orhead or other means adaptedtobe engaged by the nipple-engaging jaws orotherde- Vice of the nozzle body.

The invention thus relates for example` to lubrication systems in whichthe nozzle isadapted to form a lubricant-tightjoint.with thev nipple bythrust applied to the nozzle,.or in'which the nozzle comprises a numberof movable jawsfwhich when operated manually, mechanically,V or `bythepressure of the lubricant forced into the nozzle-ahy the grease gun orequivalent, are adaptedto. form a detachable connection with thenipple,crin

which the nozzle is. provided with fixed. jawsV in the form ofa channeladapted 4toformfa detachable connection with a. iiangevon the nipple.

Known nipples used in the above, mentioned lubricant systems arevfrequently provided withv non-return valves adapted to close thelubricant passages in the nipples but whether or vnot'they are providedwith such valves the inletsfofothe said passages form lodgements. inwhichdirt can collect. y

One object of the, presentinvention is tot provide nipples or lubricantreceiving deviceslihereinafter called nipples) which are sov constructedthat dirt cannot collectfin the saidinlets.. ,Y

According tothe presentinventionthe inlet end of the lubricant passage4i-nthe nipple is provided with Aa closurejmember, which is, made ofiiexible lubricant-impervious. material. andpis formed withalubricant'passage of small size, the

arrangement being such that eitherfdue` tjol'the manner-in which themember ,ismou'nted inthe nipple and (or) the mannerin whichtheflubricant passage is formed throughy thesaid material, thelubricant. passage is normally Closed a non-return valveto prevent theback flow and escape of lubricant whenthe pressure on the latter isrelieved andthe nozzle is removed from the nipple.

A further objectoftheLinvention is to provide a combination of nipplesconstructed as briefly described above with nozzles which may form part.of, or may be attached-to, grease gunsor equivalent .and are providedwith hollow conduit means which are adapted to open the lubricantpassages, in the said closure members and thus allow-lubricant to beinjected throughthose p assages into the lubricant Vreceiving passagesin the nipples and thence tothe place of use of the lubricant.

Such a.V nozzle may, for example, comprise a hollow body, a lubricantinlet conduit through which lubricant from agrease gun or equivalent isforced into the body under pressure, a hollow conduit means which isyslidable in the body and which, when the nozzle is in its workingposition upon the nipple, isl forced under the lubricant pressure into,and opens, the lubricant passage inthe said closure member and thusallows lubricant 'to beY injected through the said passage into thelubricant receiving passage in the nipple .and thence to the place ofuse.

The said hollow lconduit means may form part of a piston assembly whichis slidably arranged within. the said hollow body, and it may include a,needle-like stem which is adapted to be forced Vforwards, towards theVnipple into the lubricant but can be opened toallowllubricantfto.,beiorced through'it under pressure imposed;v upon.the lubricant by Va grease .gun .or equivalent device. The closuremember thus not only acts to prevent the access of dirt to the interiorof the nipple, but also, as will be ,explainedA later,A may-act aspassage in the closure member under the pressure of the lubricant actingupon the piston assembly.

Asv analternative, however, the nozzle may comprise a hollow bodyadapted to be connected to the outlet conduit of a grease gun orequivalent, ahollow conduit means which is attached to orv forms partof, the hollow bodyand which, under manual pressure applied to thenozzle, is

forced into, and opens, the said lubricant passage vin the closuremember and thus allows lubricant to be injected through the said passageinto the lubricant receiving passage in the nipple and thence to theplace of use.

The said closure member conveniently consists of a. flexible,lubricant-impervious teat which isl formed with a head, adapted to befitted in a housing formed at the inlet end of the lubricant passage. inthe nipple, and a shank which is arranged -in that passage, and the teatmay be formed with an axial lubricant passage which` passesrightlthrough the teat.

On the other hand, theteat may be formed with-.an axial lubricantypassage which passes lpartly through the teat and the shank may then beprovided with one or more slits which provide communication between thatpassage and lubricant-receiving passage in the nipple. The outer surfaceof the head of the teat is preferably flush with the outer surface ofthe nipple, and in certain constructions the said shank is taperedalthough this is not essential. The lubricant passage in the teat may beformed by merely piercing the teat or by drilling the teat or bymoulding the passage in the teat.

The teat may be provided with a tapered head which is fitted in acorrespondingly shaped housing at the inlet end of the lubricant passagein the nipple.

On the other hand, the head of the teat may be so shaped that part onlyof the head is tightly gripped in the housing at the inlet end of thelubricant-passage in the nipple to close the inlet end of the lubricantpassage in the teat, While an emptly space is provided in the housingaround the rest of the head of the teat.

The nipples may comprise heads shaped for engagement by thenipple-engaging fixed` jaws or parts or by the lubricant pressure ormanually or mechanically operated movable jaws or parts of the nozzles,Spanner or wrench engaging parts and shanks which are adapted, bythreading or otherwise, to be xed in the bearings or other parts to belubricated.

The teat may be made of rubber, synthetic rubber .or other mouldablematerial, or lubricantimpervious exible material.

Various constructional forms of nipples and also of nozzles adapted tobe used in association therewith will now be described, by Wayofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in thedescriptions it will be assumed that the nipple and nozzle are lbotharranged in a `vertical position, `with the nozzle uppermost deliveringdownwards into the nipple. On the `drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a nozzle and :nipple combination, thenozzle being engaged'in its working position on the flanged head of anipple. In this ligure,A the nozzle is of the type which comprises fixedjaws for engagement upon and 'around the flanged head of 'the nipple bypull-on motion and in which the hollow slidable conduit which engages inthe lubricant passage in the teat is in the form of a needle-like stemand is carried by a grease-operated piston slidable in the nozzle body;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a second 'nozzle and nipple combination,the nozzle being engaged in its working position Aon the head of thenipple. In this figure, the nozzle comprises movable nipple-engagingjaws which are adapted to engage with a part-spherical portion of thenipple head, the jaws being carried -by an outer piston,

assem-bly which is slidable in the annular space between outer and innerbody parts of the nozzle;

Figure 3 is a sectional View of a third nozzle and nipple combination,the nozzle being engaged in its working position on the head of thenipple. In this ligure, the nozzle comprises an outer piston assemblywhich is formed upon an inner body part of Vthe nozzle and is slidablein the'outer body part of the nozzle and which also carriesnipple-engaging jaws adapted to engage the circular head or flange of anipple of the type shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a modified form of nipple whichcomprises a head formed with which corresponding projections formed onthe 4 locking jaws of a nozzle of the type described with reference toFigure 3 are adapted to engage;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a fourth nozzle and nipple combination,in which the nozzle is of the type shown in Figure 3, but dierstherefrom in that its locking jaws are formed with projections adaptedto engage in the annular grooves or serrations formed in the head of themodified nipple shown in the ligure;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a fth nozzle and nipple combination. Thenozzle shown in this gure is not adapted to be attached or gripped tothe nipple and part of the head of the latter is shaped to' provide aguide for a spring-urged sleeve which is slidable upon the nozzle bodyand is adapted to ensure that the needle-like stem of the nozzle is incorrect alignment with the lubricant passage in the nipple teat;

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are all sectional views showing how nipples asillustrated in Figures l, 2 and 4 and 5, may be used with nozzles asshown in Figure 6;

Figures 10 to 13 are sectional views of modified forms of teats for usein nipple heads;

Figure 14 is a half-sectional View of a nozzle and nipple combination inwhich the nozzle is provided with manually operated nipple-engagingjaws; and

Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of a inodication of the nozzleand nipple combination shown in Figure 14.

Referring rst to Figure 1:

In this constructional form of the invention, the nipple comprises ashank l, which is threaded or otherwise formed for attachment to theplace of use of the lubricant, an enlarged intermediate orSpanner-engaging part 2, and a circular flange v3 which is separatedfrom the intermediate or Spanner-engaging part by an annular recess 4,which thus provides a neck between the latter and the flange 3 aroundwhich the jaws of the nozzle may be engaged as described hereinafter.

The nipple is provided with an axial grease outlet passage 5 whichextends from the bottom end 4of lthe shank to a position spaced slightlyabove the lower fiat .face of the Spanner-engaging part 2 of the nipplewhere it joins a coaxial enlarged bore 6. The upper end of the latter iscounterbored so as to provide a shoulder 1 spaced from the upper face ofthe flange and a tapered side wall 8 which is inclined outwardly fromthe flat top face of the nipple flange downwardly to the shoulder. Theshoulder 1 and the tapered wall thus form a tapered housing for the head9 of a rubber or like teat, which at its opposite end is formed with atapered or pointed shank Ill projecting downwards into the enlarged boreB when the'teat is in position in the nipple. The teat is formed withastraight-through pieced axial passage l I normally of no measurablediameter.

As described hereinafter, however, the head of the teat may be larger indiameter than the upper and smaller end of the tapered housing, butsmaller than the larger and lower end thereof, but being made of rubberor like material it can be distorted suiiiciently to allow it to beforced into place Without damage to itself. Once in place it will befirmly held in position by the tapered form of the housing.

In a modification the enlarged bore S in the upper part of the nipplemay, as shown in broken lines, extend right down through the attachmentshank I, if the latter is large enough to permit of it.

One constructional form of nozzle for use with the nipple isalso shownin Fig. 1'. It comprises a hollow body I2, which'l is integral with, orattached to, a hollow shank I3, the latter being integral with, oradapted to be attached to, the grease outlet conduit of the grease gunor equivalent (not shown). The bottom or nipple engaging end of thenozzle-is formed with a recess of known form of T-section comprising astraight portion which extends from the'side of the nozzle body nearestto the grease gun or equivalent to the centre ofthe body where itconnects with a semi-circular portion which is spaced from the oppositeside of the nozzle body. In known manner, this arrangement provides twojaws I5, `between which the-nipple neck can be slidably engaged, and achannel I4 above the jaws adapted to receive the nipple fiange 3. v

The bore I6 of the nozzle body extends from the upper face of the Abodyto a position short of the channel I4, so that the body is provided witha base I1 separating the bore from the channel. A small hole I8 isformed centrally in the base and provides communication between the boreI6 and the channel I4. The grease inlet conduit I9 in the hollow shankI3 of the nozzle body communicates with the bore I6 at a position nearthe upper face of the nozzle body.

A piston assembly is slidably arranged in the bore of the nozzle bodyand comprises a central bodyY 26, having a flange 2l and a shank 22which projects upwards from the upper face of the flange, a coaxialneedle-like stern 23 which projects downwards from the lower face oftheange and a flexible sealing washer which is held between the upper faceof the fiange 2l of the piston body and a nut 26 which is screwed upon athreaded part of the shank, the annular sealing lip of the washer beingdirected upwards. The piston assembly is constantly urged upwards by acoil spring 21, which reacts between the base I1 of the nozzle body andthe ange 2l on the piston body. An axial passage 24 connects the upperend of the shank 22 to the lower end of the needle like stem 23.

The upper end of the bore I3 of the nozzle body is preferably closed bya cover plate-28 arranged in a recess in the nozzle body and held inposition by a circlip 29 which is fitted in an annular groove formed inthe nozzle body above the cover plate, and a flexible sealing ring ordisc 3Ilis used below the cover to effect a pressure tight joint. l

Alternatively, the cover may be attached tothe nozzle body by screwing.

The coil spring 21 urges the complete piston assembly upwards and theupward movement is limited by the engagement of the upper end of theshank 22 with the cover. The arrangement is suchthat normally the lowerend of the needle stem 23 of the piston body does not project beyond thelower face of the base I1 o1" the nozzle body but is either flush withit or is disposed slightly above it. The annular sealing lip of thesealing washer 25 is so disposed that it can never mask the inlet end ofthe grease conduit I9 in the hollow shank of the nozzle body.

In operation, the nipple-engaging jaws I of the nozzle body are hookedupon the Yneck of the nipple and the nipple flange 3 is engaged in thechannel I4, the bottom face of the base I1 thenV engaging-with the upperface of the nipple flange. The nozzle is pulled across the nipple untilthe nipple flange is fully engaged in the semi-circular end of thechannel I4 in the nozzle body. In this position, the needle-like stem23of the piston assembly and thepassageV il in the rubber teat are inexact axial alignment. When the grease gun or equivalent is operated,grease under. pressure is forced through the conduit I9 in the hollowshank I3 of the nozzle body into theV bore I5 or" the latter, the pistonassembly then being forced downwards against the pressure of the coilspring 21 and the-needle end of the piston stem 23 being forced intotheA end of the passage II in the rubberY teat. -This` movement of thepiston assembly maybe limited either by the closing of the coil spring21 or by a shoulder or other step (not shown) and as soon as the pistonassembly has reached the desired limit of its downward travel furtherdischarge of grease by the grease gun-or equivalent will force greasethrough the straight-through passage 24 in the piston body and theneedle stern, thence through the .passage II inthe rubber or like teatinto the'nipple and thenceA to the place of use. When the operation ofthefgrease gun or equivalent is discontinued the piston assembly Visreturned upwards to its original position by the action of the spring 21and the nozzle can `then be removed from the nipple.

In a second constructional form shown in Figure 2, the nipple comprisesa shank 3l adapted for attachment at a place of use of the lubricant, anintermediate or Spanner-engaging part 32, a head comprising an uppercylindrical' part 33 and a lower partly-hemispherical part 311 of largerdiameter. As in the construction described above, the nipple is hollowbeing formed with a grease passage o varying diameter and is providedwith a-teat 33 of flexible, lubricant-impervious material such as rubberor like material formed with a lubricant passage 33. The teat may bemade and held in place in any of the ways referredtoabove andhereinafter.

This nipple is intended for use with a modified form of nozzle, havingmovable nipple-engaging jaws operated by the pressure of the lubricantand which, under the iniiuence of that pressure, moveV forward, i. e.,downwards, and grip the partly-hemispherical part 34 of the nipple head.

Thel nozzle comprises two coaxial cylindrical bodies 31 and 38,*theouter .body 38 being integral with, or attached to, a hollow shank 39integral with or adapted to be attached to the discharge shank or ductof a grease gun or equivalent, (not shown) VThe inner cylinder 31 isformed, like the nozzle body of the construction shown in Figure l, withan apertured base 40 and an open upper end closed by a cover member illwhich in this case is preferably screwed into position. The walls of thecylinder 31 extend below the base, forming a recess 42 which ts'over theupper cylindrical part -33 ofthe nipple, forming a guide for alignment.

Within the'inner cylinder is a piston assembly comprising a flange d3, asealing ring 43, an upwardly projecting shank l5 and a downwardlyprojecting needle-like stem 4S, all spring-urged upwardsaway fromV thenipple engaging end of the nozzle, the assembly being formed with anaxialstraight-throughv bore t1 all as described in reference to Figurel.

Between the inner and outer cylinders is an annular space 458 inwhichare arranged an annular pistonps and jaws 53. Y

The lower end of the outer cylinder is provided withan. inwardly turningange 5I, and the jaws 50 are loosely hung from the annular piston 433 sothat while relative lateral movement of the jaws is permitted, positivedownward movement is enforced when the annular piston moves downwards.

The annular piston with its depending jaws is urged upwards by a spring52 away from the nipple-engaging end of the nozzle, but the springexerts a lower pressure per square inch on the annular piston than thespring 53 of the inner piston exerts upon the inner piston. The upperend of the annular space 48 is closed by a cover 54 which, in thepreferred embodiment, is screwed into place, and may conveniently beformed integral with, and as a radial extension of, the cover 4| for theinner cylinder 31. A hole or holes 55 through the inner cylinder wall,a1'- ranged close under the cover, afford communication between theinner and outer cylinders.

In operation, the nozzle is first placed in position over the head ofthe nipple, with the recess 42 within the lower end of the innercylinder walls registering over the cylindrical part 33 of the nipple.In this position the needle like stem of the inner piston assembly andthe passage in the teat are in exact axial alignment. When the greasegun or equivalent is operated, grease under pressure is forced throughthe duct 56 in the hollow shank 39 of the nozzle body into the bore ofthe outer cylinder, and also through the hole or holes 55 into the innercylinder. Since the outer spring 52 exerts a lower pressure upon theouter piston 49 than the inner spring 53 exerts upon the inner piston itfollows that the outer piston will move rst. As it descends the outerpiston forces the depending jaws 50 downwards, and as they encounter theinwardly turning flange l of the outer cylinder 38 they are also forcedinwardly, thus collectively acting as a clutch to grip thepartly-hemispherical part 34 of the nipple head. After this actionfurther discharge of grease by the gun or equivalent results in theinner piston being forced down-V wards against the pressure of itsspring 53 and in the forward end of the needle stem 4B being forced intothe end of the passage 36 in the rubber teat. This movement of thepiston assembly may be limited either by the closing of the inner coilspring 53 or by a shoulder or other stop (not shown) and as soon as thepiston assembly has reached the desired limit of its downward travelfurther discharge of grease by the grease gun or equivalent will forcegrease through the straightthrough passage 41 in the piston body andneedle stem, thence through the passage in the rubber teat into thenipple and thence to the place of use.

When the operation of the grease gun or equivalent is discontinued, theinner piston assembly is returned upwards to its original position bythe action of the inner spring 53. Thereafter, the outer piston 49 withits depending jaws 50 will also return under the action of its spring52. As soon as this has taken place the nozzle can be removed from thenipple.

As will be understood from the foregoing description a nozzle asdescribed with reference to Figure 2 could be used in conjunction with aflanged nipple, as described with reference to Fig. 1, the hooked endsof the jaws 50 being shaped to flt around the nipple flange 3.

In a third constructional form of the invention shown in Figure 3, thenipple may be constructed as previously described in connection with thenipple shown in Figure l, viz., having a shank 51 for attachment to aplace of use, an intermediate or spanner engaging part 58, a neck 59 anda flange 6). The nozzle again comprises two coaxial inner and outercylinder bodies 5I and 62, but in this construction the inner cylinderis slidable within the outer. The hollow shank B3 of the outer body 52is integral with, or attached to, the shank or duct of a grease gun orequivalent (not shown). The inner cylinder is formed with a base 64having a central hole 64A and within this inner cylinder is a pistonassembly 65, Vcomprising a flange, a sealing ring, anl upwardlyprojecting shank and a downwardly projecting needle-like stem springurged upwardly away from the nipple engaging end of the nozzle, all asdescribed in reference to Figures 1 and 2. The upper end of the innercylinder is provided with a cover member 66, but this is formed withholes 61 so that it does not serve as a closure for the cylinder, butonly acts as a stop member, the shank 68 of the inner piston abuttingagainst it, when the inner piston is in its uppermost position. Thenozzle is also provided with movable jaws 69, but they are lonsowattached to the inner cylinder wall instead of to a sliding annularpiston as in Figure 2. As in that case they have a limited free lateralmovement but in this case they have no endwise movement relative to theinner cylinder. The lower ends of the jaws are formed with hooks 10 ontheir inner faces, and their outer faces 1l are bevelled for a reason tobe explained hereinafter. Leaf springs 12 are arranged between the jawsand the cylinder in order to spread the jaws to their widest capacity.

The inner cylinder 6I is slidably arranged within the outer cylinder S2,and it is provided at the upper end with an outwardly turned flange 14which in conjunction with a flexible sealing ring which is arranged inthe annulus between the inner and outer cylinder walls and is gripped inplace between the said flange 14 and a flange 15 formed upon the innercylinder cover 66 forms a piston assembly by which the inner cylinder iscaused to slide as will be explained hereinafter.

At its lower extremity the outer cylinder wall is formed with aninwardly turning flange, the inner upper edge 15 of which is bevelledfor engagement with the bevels 1| on the movable jaws 69. Between thebevel on the flange and the outer cylinder wall the upper surface of theflange is flat, and a coil spring 11 is arranged between the flange andthe flange 14 on the inner cylinder. The reactionof the spring 11 urgesthe inner cylinder, with its depending jaws, upwards in relation to theouter cylinder. This motion is limited by the inner cylinder cover 6-6abutting against a boss 18 on the outer cylinder cover. In this positionthe jaws 69 are spaced outwards by their leaf springs 12. The outer coilspring 11 exerts a lower pressure per squarev inch on the whole area ofthe outer cylinder than the inner piston spring 19 exerts upon the innerpiston.

When the nozzle is placed in its working position on the head of thenipple the jaws 49 are spread outwards by their springs 12, their hookedends 10 can pass freely over the edge of the nipple flange 60 and theapertured base 64 of the inner cylinder can come into contact with theupper face of the nipple flange. When the grease gun or equivalent isoperated, grease under pressure is forced through the duct 63A in thehollow shank S3 of the nozzle into the bore of the outer cylinder, andalso through the holes 61 in the cover 68 of the inner cylinder into thelatter.

Sincethe outer spring 1l exerts a lower pressure upon the wholeinnerfcylinder, which acts as a sliding piston, than the inner spring 19Vexerts upon the inner piston, it follows that the inner cylinder as awhole will move relative to the outer cylinder before the inner pistonmoves lre1- ative to the inner cylinder. As the inner cylinder and itsjaws move downwards, or more correctly, as the outer cylindermovesupwards, the `bevelled edge 'I6 of the inwardly turningrilangevofthe outer cylinder engages the bevelled faces 1 I .ofthe jaws causingthemto close radially inwards not only gripping the nipple ange but alsocentralising it so that the lubricant passage in the teat is in correctaxial alignment with the needle like stem.

When this action is completed further dis charge of grease by the gun orequivalent results in the inner piston assembly 65 -being forceddownwards against the pressure 4of its spring 19 and in the forward endof the needle stem 3i being forced through the hole V611A in the base 64of the inner cylinder into the end of the passage e2 in the rubber teat83. This movement of `the piston assembly may berlimited either by theclosing of the inner coiled vspring 19, orV by a shoulder or other stop(not shown) As soon as the inner piston assembly has reached the desiredlimit of its downward travel further discharge of grease by the greasegun or equivalent will force grease through the straight-through passage85 in the piston body and needle stem, thence through the .passage 82.in the rubber teat into the nipple and thence to vthe place of use. Whenthe operation of `the grease gun or equivalent is discontinued, theinner .piston assembly 65 is returnedrupwards `to its original positionby the use of the lubricant, an intermediate or span-v ner engaging part92, `a lower cylindrical part $3 and an upper cylindrical part S4 ofreduced diameter. As in the constructions described above, 'the nippleis provided with a. teat S5 of flexible, lubricant-impervious materialformed with a lubricant passage S6, which teat may be made in any of theways referred to above or hereinafter.

rfhis nipple is intended for use with a modified form of nozzle shown inFigure 6 which is not adapted to be gripped to the nipple during thelubricating operation. The nozzle comprises a holiow body S7 integralwith, or adapted. to be attached to, the grease outlet conduit 98 of thegrease gun or equivalent 99. The end cf the bore action of its spring18, the inner cylinder Bl with its depending jaws 69 then` alsoreturning under the action of the outer spring TI. this has taken place`the jaws will be freed, and will open outwards under the action oftheir springs 12, thereby freeing the nipple `flange ES and permittingthe nozzle to be removed.

The modified nipple shown in Figure 4 Vis not provided with a head vinthe` form of a single ange, as previously described with reference toFigures 1 and 3, but may have a cylindrical body S5, upon which areformed a number of circular grooves or serrations 8B.

As shown inFigure 5, a .nozzle for use with this modified type of nipplevmay be constructed like that shown in Figure 3 and thus, briefly, maycomprise an outer body 52A provided with a hollow shank 63A,'an innerbody 6 IA, an innerpiston assembly BA and spring-urged jaws 69A carriedby the inner body 61A. struction of nozzle, however, the jaws areprovided with projections or ridges 81 which engage in grooves orserrations 88 formed in the cylindrical body 89v of the nipple 90 whenVthe nozzle is fitted in its working position upon the nipple.

It will be noted that whereas the grooves or serrations in thecylindrical body of the nipple shown in Figure 4 are of square sectionthose in the cylindrical body of the nipple shown in Figure 5 are ofV-section. It is to be understood, however, that the grooves orserrations may be any `other convenient section.

The body of the nipple may also be of conical instead of cylindricalshape.

It will also be appreciated that a nozzle as described with reference toFigure l could be adapted for use `in conjunction. with the types ofnipple described above with reference to Fig As soon asl In thismodified con-v of the body el which is adjacent to the .nipple when thenozzle is in the working position is tapped to receive the threadedshank ISS vof a needle-like delivery stem |32 similar to the part 23 inFigure l, which is also formed with an intermediate flange I0! adaptedto abut against the lower end of the body when the delivery nozzle isscrewed into position. An axial bore H53 connects the upper end of theshank ille with the lower end of the said needle-like stem.

In order not only to serve as aguide but also to protect the needlestein 52 against damage and to protect anser against injury by thestein, a sleeve les is sli-:iably arranged upon the grease outletconduit E8 and the body Bl'. This sleeve is normally pressed downwardlyby means of a coilrspiing lei surrounding the conduit so that the stemis entirely enclosed in the sleeve.

,In order to inject grease into the nipple and thence to the place ofuse, the lower end of the sleeve les is applied to the nipple and fittedaround the upper cylindrical part 94, which part thus acting incooperation with the sleeve and serves to ensure that the needle sternH22 and lthe lubricant passage g5 in the nipple teat are in correctalignment. Thus, when the grease gun or equivalent is thrust forwardstowards the nipple to discharge grease into the nipple, the needle-lilacstem H32 is first Yforced into the lubricant passage Se in the teat. Theamount of this `motion being limited either by the flange iili ont-hedelivery nozzle engaging with the upper cylindrical part ed of thenipple or by an abutment (not shown) in the sleeve, engaging the body9?, the sleeve sliding backwards along the grease outlet conduit $3 andcompressing the spring E95. Further thrust on the gun 99 results ingrease being forced through the bore of the hollow conduit 93, throughthe passages in the head. t? and the needle ieg into the passage B inthe teat and thence to the place of use. When the grease dischargingoperation is completed and the nozzle is removed from the nipple, thesleeve iat is forced forwards again into its original position by thespring IE5 thus again acting as a protection to the needle stem.

t will be understood that a nozzle of the type shown in Figure 6 canalso be used in conjunction with ples of the type shown in Figures l.,2, e and rfhis is illustrated in Figures 7 to 9 wherein the nippleengaging end of the slidable 11 sleeve |04 of the nozzle is shown in,broken lines fitted over the head or flange of the nipple head.

Figure 14 shows by way of example a modified nozzle having manuallyoperable jaws. The nipple used with this nozzle may be of any of thetypes mentioned above which are adapted to be gripped by movable jaws,and the nozzle is prefer ably of the same general type as in the thirdconstruction described above with reference to Figure 3, wherein thejaws have lateral movement but do not advance and recede as in thesecond construction shown in Figure 2.

Thus, the nozzle comprises a cylinder body IIlt` with a hollow inletshank |01 and a hollow bore in which slides a piston assembly similar tothat described in reference to Figure 1 and comprising a flange |08, anupwardly extending shank |09, a sealing ring and holding nut II I, and adownwardly projecting needle stem ||2.

On the outside of the cylinder wall, at or near the nipple-engaging end,a number of jaws II3 are suspended in similar fashion to the jaws 69described with reference to Figure 3, and above these jaws the wall isformed with an external thread, upon which an internally threaded shellI I4 is screwed. lI'he outside of the shell is knurled so that it can begripped and rotated by'hand, and the lower end is made conical at I I5to engage with the bevelled ends IIB of the jaws, so that when the shellis screwed upwards on the thread the jaws are moved radially inwards.

As shown in Figure 15, in a modification of the above construction, thejaws II'I may be formed with a reversed bevel such that the jaws aremoved inwards by a downward movement of the threaded hollow shell I I9.

In a sixth construction, the nozzle has mechanically operated jaws, andmay be constructed internally as in the case of the fth constructionshown in Figure 14, and it may lbe provided externally with a hollowshell capable of axial movement like the shell IIA. Instead of thisvaxial movement being provided by rotating the shell by hand upon a screwthread, however, the shell is mounted slidably upon the cylinder body ofthe nozzle and is provided externally with two parallel circumferentialcollars, between which are engaged the jaws of a fork-ended lever.

The nozzle body as a whole is slidably mounted in a housing so that itcan be advanced and retracted, for example, by cam action. After thenozzle body has thus been brought forward into contact with the nipple,the jaws can then be automatically closed by moving the said hollowshell axially upon the nozzle body by means of the said fork ended leverwhich may also be hand or cam operated.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to theconstructional forms of nipples described above, but is applicable tonipples of any practicable shape in which a flexible,lubricant-impervious teat can be housed as described, whether or not thenipples are adapted to be detachably held by nipple-engaging jaws.

As previously stated, in any of the nipple constructions the lubricantpassage in the teat may be made by merely piercing the material; that isto say, without the removal of any substantial amount of material aswould occur if it were drilled with a rotating drill, so that normallythe passage will have no measurable diameter and there will be noexposed aperture or space in the teat in which dirt can collect.

On the other hand, the lubricant passage in the teat may be drilled,thus removing material,

or it may be moulded. Referring to Figures l0 to 13, in either of thesecases the passage |36 through the teat will have a measureable diameterand will thus offer a lodgement for dirt. To prevent this the upper partof the head |31 is made an interference fit in its housing in thenipple, the material of the teat surrounding the passage being therebyforced radially inwards when the teat is fitted in the housing so thatthe open inlet end |38 of the passage is closed, and thus no space forthe collection of dirt will remain.

In the cases in which the passage is drilled or moulded, however, it ispreferred that the drilled or moulded teat passage |36 (Figures l0 to13) small not pass right through the teat, but shall stop short at, say,three quarters of the depth of the teat, the remainder of the lowertapered shank |39, being formed into two or more ilexible lips by a slitor slits |40. This slit, or these slits, may be formed by splitting witha knife, thus removing no material or they may be cut with anexceedingly fine saw or they may be moulded or similarly fine fins. Evenalthough a narrow space is left between the lips, nevertheless, owing tothe tapered shape of the shank of the teat, any back ow of the greasewill be stopped by the pressure of the grease causing the tapered sidesof the shank of the teat to collapse and the lips to close inwardly. Theteat therefore acts as a non-return valve, and the inclusion of a balland spring, or other conventional type of non-return valve, in thenipple, becomes unnecessary.

It will also be appreciated that when the forward end of the nozzlepiston needle stem enters the closed lubricant passage in the teat theremust be some lateral displacement of rubber. If the head, as shown inFigure 1, of the teat is a t in the correspondingly shaped housing inthe nipple there will be no contiguous lateral space into which thedisplaced rubber can go and displacement must take place longitudinally.While this is not impossible, it may cause difliculty in operation.

In modifications, therefore, as shown in Figures 10 to 13, space isprovided laterally round the head of the teat between the head and thehousing in the nipple into which the displaced rubber can readily flow.Thus, the head of the teat may be cylindrical While its housing isconical as shown in Figure 11, the upper edge of the conical housing |42gripping the head IM to hold it in place, and also distorting them-aterial radially inwards so that the otherwise open end |38 of thepassage is closed.

Again, while the teat head IIII may be cylindrical, its housing mayeither be of larger diameter and/or barrel shaped as shown in Figure 10,and in either case may have an upper shoul der |42 which grips the upperedge of the head and distorts it radially inwards whether it is formedwith an annular recess or not. The upper edge of the head of the teatmay have an annular recess into which the shoulder engages.

As shown in Figure 13, the head I 4I of the teat may be made waisted,that is, narrower at the middle than at the ends, and its housing may becylindrical, having an upper shoulder |42 which grips the head of theteat as previously described. Again, the head of the teat and/or itshousing may be formed with circular grooves or serrations for the samepurpose, as shown in Figure 12.

As mentioned above in connection with Figling its discharge stroke.

Vor their upper stop or stops.

`ure l, when `the operation of the grease gun or influence of the coilspring. This return movement of the piston assembly causes a back ow ofgrease out of the bore of the nozzle body back through the conduit inthe hollow shank of the nozzletowards the grease gun or equivalent. Itis therefore necessary that the outlet conduit of `the grease gun orequivalent shall not have Va non-return valve.

Dierent types of grease guns or other grease dispensers may be used. Thegrease gun may, for example, be of the known type in which a plungeroverruns and closes an inlet port dur- As soon as the inlet port isoverrun and closed, further movement of the 4plunger discharges greasethrough the conduit in the hollow shank of the nozzle into the bore ofthe latter, the nozzle piston assembly then being operated -aspreviously described, and some of the grease being discharged throughthe nipple to the place of use.

When the gun plunger makes its return stroke the grease column in thebore of 'the nozzle body and the said conduit will follow it until thenozzle piston assembly or assemblies reaches its Y Thereafter, the gunplunger, continuing its return motion, will create a void in the gunbarrel, which void, when the inlet Vport is again uncovered, will beequal in volume to the grease discharged. As soon as the inlet port isuncovered, the gun will be recharged by the inux of new grease.

The `teat in the nipple, the sealing washer in the nozzle body cover andthe sealing rings inthe pistons may be made of rubber, synthetic rubberor other mouldable material, or lubricant-impervious flexible material.

The nipple-engaging jaws forming part of the nozzle body in Athe firstconstruction shown in Figure 1 may be arranged for push-on attachment orfor lateral attachment instead of for pull-on attachment as describedabove.

The hollow grease inlet shank of the nozzle may be arranged at anydesired angle to the axis of the nozzle body. t may also be connected tothe latter by means of a hinge joint or a knuckle point or a universaljoint and/or it may be connected to the discharge conduit of the greasegun or equivalent by any of such joints.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 4, 5 and 14, it is convenient to form theneedle-like stem of the nozzle piston as a separate member adapted to bedetachably attached to the piston as by screwing. The same arrangementis shown in Figure 6.

It will be understood that the nipples, and nozzles may be used insystems for dispensing grease or thixotropic solids or oil.

I claim:

l. A A nipple tting comprising a rigid, generally tubular body memberhaving a shank adapted to be xedly secured to Va part -to -be lubricatedand an outer end, said Ybody member having a variable diameter boreextending therethrough of less diameter -at said outer end thanimmediately inwardly of the same and including a shoulder intermediatethe 'ends of said bore, and a compressible closure member adapted to bereceived in said bore and having lan opening extending therethrough,said closure member having a diameter adjacent its outer endsuiliciently .in excess 'of the diameter of the router end of said boreto cause said closure member A.to be compressively maintained in saidlbolre' '-a'gainst" removal outwardly and said opening to be maintainedresiliently closed, and having a `shoulder intermediate its ends adaptedto seat upon the shoulder in said bore for maintaining said closuremember against axial movement inwardly of said bore.

2. A nipple fitting comprising a rigid, generally tubular body memberhaving a shank adapted yto be fixedly secured to a part .toV bellubricated and an outer end, said body member having a variable diameterbore extending therethrough vof less diameter vat said outer end thanimmediately inwardly of the same and including a shoulderlintermediatethe ends of said bore, and

a compressible closure member having an opening extending therethroughand including an end part adapted to be compressively received in theportion of said bore between said shoulder and the Vouter end of thefitting, said end part vbeing of larger'diameter than the outer end ofsaid bore for compressively maintaining said closure member againstaxial movement and for r'esiliently maintaining said opening closed.

3.A nipple tting as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outer end of saidtubular body member is of variable diameter to form a shouldered headunder which said end part engages.

4.A nipple fitting as claimed in claim 2, wherein the `outer end ofAsaid tubular body member -is formed with one or more annular lips of adiameter greater than the diameter of said bore at its outer end.

5. A nipple vittingA comprising arigid, generally tubularI bodymemberhaving a shank adapted to be xedly secured to a part to be lubricatedand an outer end, said body member having a varia-ble diameter boreextending therethrough `of less `diameter at said Y'outer end thanimmediately inwardly of the same and including a shoulder intermediatethe ends of said bore, and

'acompressible closure Amember adapted to be received i-n` said bore andhaving an opening extending therethrough, said compressiblemem- -berhaving an outer end enlarged relative to thediameter of the outer end ofsaid bore and adapted to be received in the portion of .said borebetween said shoulder and the outer end of the Viitting lforcompressively `maintaining said closure member against axial movement inthe bore and resiliently maintaining said opening closed, said headhaving a dat outer face and beingof axial length'substantially equal tothe distance from saidshoulder to the outer end of said bore soy thatsaid 'outer face is maintained Asubstantially flush with the outer endof the tubular Vbody member.

6. A nipple tting comprising a rigid, generally tubular bodyk memberhaving a shank adapted to be flxedly secured toa part to be lubricatedand "an `outer end, said body member having a variable --diarneterpassageway extending therethrough including 'a `substantiallyirusto-conical portion forming the outerY end thereof, and acompressible closure member adapted to be received in said passagewayand having an opening extending axially therethrough and anv enlargedhead of larger diameter than the small end of the frusto-c-onical.adjacent the smallend of the frusto-conical por- "ti'onfof thepassageway.

3l. vA nippleiitting comprising .a rigid, generally .tubular body:member :having a shank adapted to be ixedly secured to` a part to belubricated and an outer end, said body member having a variable diameterpassageway extending therethrough including a substantiallyfrusto-conical portion having its minor diameter in the outer end ofsaid body member and a substantially cylindrical portion extending fromthe end of said frustoconical portion of major diameter to form ashoulder with said end, and a compressible member for closing saidpassageway having an opening extending axially therethrough and anenlarged head terminating in a shoulder intermediate the ends of saidcompressible member, said head being of larger diameter than the minordiameter of said frusto-conical portion to cause said member to bemaintained against outward axial movement and said opening to beresiliently closed by the compressive force thereon adjacent said end ofminor diameter, and said shoulder on said compressible member and theshoulder in said.

passageway cooperating to prevent axial movement of said compressiblemember inwardly.

8. A nipple fitting comprising a rigid, generally tubular body memberhaving a shank adapted to be fixedly secured to a part to be lubricatedand an outer end, said body member having a cylindrical bore of variablediameter extending therethrough including a cylindrical portion ofenlarged diameter inwardly of the cuter end of said body member definingouter and inner shoulders in the bore, and a compressible member forclosing said bore having an opening eX- tending therethrough and anenlarged head adapted to be received in the portion of said bore ofenlarged diameter and dening a shoulder intermediate the ends of saidmember cooperating with the inner shoulder in said bore to prevent axialmovement of said member inwardly of said bore, said head being ofgreater diameter than the outer end of said bore, and of axial lengthsubstantially equal to the distance from said inner shoulder to theouter end of said bore to cause-said member to be held against axialmovement outwardly of said bore and the opening therein to beresiliently closed bythe compressive engagement of said outer shoulderwith the upper end of said head.

9. A nipple tting comprising a rigid, generally tubular body memberhaving a shank adapted to be xed secured to a part to be lubricated andan outer end adapted to be engaged by the coupler of a source oflubricant supply, said body member having a variable diameter boreextendingtherethrough of less diameter at its outer end than immediatelyinwardly thereof, and a compressible member having an enlarged outer endwith an opening extending therethrough and adapted to be compressivelyreceived in the outer end of said bore for maintaining the compressiblemember against axial movement in the bore and an inner end portionextending inwardly in said bore from said enlarged outer end, said innerend portion being severed along an axial plane to adapt said severed endportions for functioning as a check valve to prevent backlow oflubricant from said tting.

10. A nipple fitting comprising a rigid, generally tubular body memberhaving a shank adapted to be xedly secured to a part to be lubricatedand an outer end adapted to be engaged by the coupler of a source oflubricant supply, said body member having a variable diameter boreextending therethrough of less diameter at its outer end thanimmediatelyinwardly thereof, and a compressible member having an enlarged outer endwith an opening extending therethroughv and adapted to be compressivelyreceived in the outer end of said bore for maintaining the compressiblemember against axial movement in the bore and a tapered inner endportion extending inwardly in said bore from said enlarged outer end,said tapered end being severed along an axial plane to forni a one-wayflap valve for preventing backrlow of lubricant from said tting.

1l. In a lubricating system, the combination with a nipple ttingincluding a body member having a shank adapted to be rlxedly secured toa part to be lubricated, and an outer end forming a head with a seatthereon, which body member has a variable diameter bore extendingtherethrough of less diameter at its outer end than immediately inwardlyof the same with a shoulder intermediate the ends of said bore and whichtting has a compressible closure member in the bore with an openingextending therethrough and including an end part adapted to becompressively received in the portion of said bore between said shoulderand the outer end of the fitting, the said end part being of largerdiameter than the outer end of said bore for compressively maintainingsaid closure member against axial movement and for resilientlymaintaining said opening closed; of a nozzle for making detachablefluidtight connection with the fitting, said nozzle including a tubularbody member having structure forming an apertured contact surfaceadapted for cooperative engagement with said seat, means for detachablysecuring said body member to said head with said contact surface in rmengagement with said seat and the aperture therein in axial alignmentwith the opening in the closure member, means forming an inlet to saidbody member adapted to be supplied with fluid under pressure, a hollowinjector nozzle in said body member having an inlet adjacent one end andterminating at the other end in a reduced tip adapted to be projectedthrough the aperture in said contact surface and into the opening insaid closure member, means operatively connected to said injector nozzleand responsive to the presence of iluid under pressure in said tubularbody member for advancing said injector nozzle to lubricant deliveringposition, resilient means normally urging said injector nozzle toretracted position, and means in said tubular body member limitingmovement of said injector nozzle under the influence of said resilientmeans including a part adapted to close the inlet thereto.

12. A lubrication system as defined in claim 11I wherein the bore in thetting includes a substantially frusto-conical portion forming the outerend thereof, and the compressible closure member adapted to be receivedin the bore has a head seated in the said frusto-conical portion, whichhead is of larger diameter than the small end of the frusto-conicalportion so that the opening therein is maintained resiliently closed bythe compressive force exerted thereon adjacent the said small end.

13. A lubrication system as dened in claim 11, wherein the bore in thetting is cylindrical and includes a cylindrical portion of enlargeddiameter inwardly of the outer end of the body member deiining outer andinner shoulders in the bore, and in which the compressible closuremember has an enlarged head adapted to be received in the portion of thebore of enlarged diameter and the closure member is maintained againstaxial movement with the outer end of the opening maintained resilientlyclosed by the compres- 17 siveengagement Vo'f the outer shoulder withthe upp'erend of said head.

i4." Inv a lubricating system, the combina-tion with 'anipple fittingincluding a body member havingia shank adapted to be fixedly secured toa part to .be lubricated, Iand an outer end forming a head with a seatthereon, which body member Ahas a variable diameter bore extendingtherethroughjof less diameter at its outer end than immediately inwardlyof the same with a shoulder intermediate the ends of said bore and whichfitting 'has a compressible Vclosure member in the bore with an openingextending therethrough fand "including an end part adapted to becompressively received in the portion of said bore between said shoulderand `the outer end of the iitting, the said end part being of largerdiameter than the Vouter end of said bore for compressiv'ely maintainingsaid `closure member against axial movementand for resilientlymaintaining said opening closed; of a'nozzle for 'making detachablefiuidtight connection with the fitting, said nozzle including a tubularbody member having an apertured contact surface adapted .for

cooperative engagement with said seat, fixed means on said body memberfor detachably connecting said nozzle to said tting and cooperating withsaid head to hold said seat and contact surface in firm abuttingengagement and said aperture Vand the opening in said closure mornber inaxial alignment, a hollow injector nozzle having a reduced tip adaptedto be projected through the aperture in said contact surface and intosaid opening, "piston Aforming means operatively connected to saidinjector nozzle, 'meansi Yforming "an inletvto said tubular body memberadapted to be connected to a source of iiuid under pressure forsupplying fluid for operating said piston to move said injector nozzleto projected position and for discharge through said injector.-

nozzle into said fitting.

, 15.` A vlubrication system, as defined in claim 14,

'wherein the bore in the fitting includes a substantially frusto-conicalportion forming the outer end thereof, and the compressible closuremember adapted to be received in the bore has a head seated in the saidtruste-conical portion which head is of larger diameter than the smallend ofthe truste-conical portion so that the opening therein ismaintained resiliently closedu having a shank adapted to be fixedlysecured toi:

a part to be lubricated, and an outer end forming a head with a seatthereon, which body member has a variable diameter bore extendingtherethrough of less diameter at its outer end than immediately inwardlyof the same with a shoulder intermediate the ends of said bore and whichtting has a compressibie closure member in the bore with an openingextending therethrough and including an end part adapted to `becompressively received in thel portion of said bore between saidshoulder and the outer end of the fitting, the said end part being oflarger diameter thanthe outer end of said bore for compressivelymaintaining said closure member against axial movement and forresiliently maintaining said opening closed; of a nozzle for makingdetachable fluidtight connection with the tting, said nozzle includingouter and inner tubular body members, said inner body member having anapertured contact surface Vadapted for abutting engagement with saidseat, a plurality of jaws movablv mounted within said outer body memberand formed to engage the head of said fitting .for holding the aperturein said ycontact surface and the opening in said tting in axialalignment, iiuid pressure operated means effective to move said jaws toengaged position, resilient means opposing movement of said nuidpressure operated means for eiecting return of said jaws to disengagedposition, a hollow injector nozzle in said inner body member having areduced tip adapted to be projected through the aperture in said contactsurface and into the opening in said closure member, fluid pressureoperated means for moving said injector nozzle to projected position,inlet forming means on the outer tubular body member adapted to beconfnected to a source of fluid under pressure for `.sup-

plying fluid for moving said jaws to engaged position and said injectornozzle to projected position, and resilient means effective to inhibitmovement of said injector nozzle until said jaws have been `moved toengaged position.

17. A lubrication system as defined in claim 16, wherein the bore -inthe fitting includes -asubstan-tially frusto-concal portion forming theouter end thereof, and the compressible closure member adapted to bereceived in the bore has a head seated in the said frusto-conicalpor-tion, which `head is of Va larger diameter than the small end of thefrusto-conicai portion so that the opening therein is maintainedresiliently closed by the compressive force exerted 'thereon adjacentthe .said small end.

18. In Va lubricating system, the `combination with a nipple t-tingincluding a body member having a shank adapted to be xedly secured to apart to be lubricated, and an `outer end forming a head with a seatthereon, vwhich body member has a variable diameter bore extendingtherethrough of less diameter at its outer end than immediately inwardlyof the same with ashoulder intermediate the ends of said bore .and whichtting has a compressible closure member .in lthe bore with an openingextending therethrough Vand including an end part .adapted to lbecompressively received fin the portion of said bore between saidshoulder and the outer end of the fitting, the said end part being oflarger diameter than the outer end of said bore for comlpressivelymaintaining said closure member against axial movement and forresilientiy maintaining said opening closed; of a nozzle for makingdetachable iluidtight connection with the tting said nozzle includingYouter and inner tubular body members relatively movable in reponse tothe presence of fluid under pressure in said outer body member, saidinner body member having an apertured contact surface adapted forabutting engagement with said seat, a plurality of jaws hingedlysuspended with respect to said inner body member and formed to engagesaid fitting, said jaws being adapted to be moved to engaged positionfor holding the aperture in said contact surface and the opening in saidclosure member in axial alignment upon movement of said body membersresp-onsive to the presence of fluid under pressure in the outer bodymember. a hollow injector nozzle in said inner body member having areduced tip adapted to be projected through the aperture in said contactsurface and into said opening, means operatively connected to saidinjector nozzle and movable in response to the presence of iiuid underpressure in said body members, to advance said injector nozzle toprojected position, resilient 19 means opposing movement of said bodymembers under the inuence of uid under pressure, and second resilientmeans effective to inhibit movement of said injector nozzle towardprojected position until said jaws have been moved to engaged position.

19. In a lubricating system, the combination with a nipple ttingincluding a body member having a shank adapted to be xedly secured to apart to be lubricated, and an outer end forming a head with a seatthereon, which body member has a variable diameter bore extendingtherethrough of less diameter at its outer end than immediately inwardlyof the same with a shoulder intermediate the ends of said bore and whichttinghas a compressible closure member in the bore with an openingextending therethrough and `including an end ,part adapted to becompressively received in the portion of said bore between said shoulderand the outer end of the fitting, the said end part being of largerdiameter than the outer end of said bore for compressively maintainingsaid closure member against axial movement and for resilientlymaintaining said opening closed; of a nozzle for making detachableuidtight connection with the tting, said nozzle including axiallyaligned tubular body members defining an annular space therebetween, oneof said members having a contact surface formed thereon complementary tosaid seat, a plurality of jaws movably mounted between said body membersand formed to engage the head of said fitting for holding said contactsurface in firm abutting engagement therewith, fluid pressure operatedmeans for moving said jaws relative to said body members into lockingengagement With the head of the fitting, a hollow injector nozzle havinga reduced tip projectable through said contact surface and into theopening in said closure member, second uid pressure operated meansoperatively connected to said injector nozzle for moving said injectornozzle to projected Iposition, a rst resilient means for returning saidjaw` to disengaged position when the fluid pressure is relieved, andsecond resilient means for inhibiting movement of said injector nozzletoward projected position until said jaws have been vmoved to engagedposition.

20. In ra lubricating system, the combination with a nipple fittingincluding a body member having a shank adapted to be flxedly secured toa part to be lubricated, and an outer end forming a head with a seatthereon, which body member has a variable diameter bore extendingtherethrough of less diameter at its outer end than immediately inwardlyof the same with a shoulder intermediate the ends of said bore and whichfitting has a compressible closure member in the bore with an openingextending therethrough and including an end part adapted to becompressively received in the portion of said bore between said shoulderand the outer end of the fitting, the said end part being of largerdiameter than the outer end of said bore for compressively maintainingsaid closure member against axial movement and for resilient maintainingsaid opening closed; ofV a nozzle for making detachable fluidtightconnection with the fitting, said nozzle including axially alignedtubular body members relatively movable upon the application of iuidLpressure thereto, one of 'said members having a contact surface formedthereon complementary to said seat, a plurality of jaws movably mountedbetween said body members and formed to engage the head of said fittingfor holding said contact surface in firm abutting engagement therewith,fluid pressure operated means effective to move said jaws to engagedposition, a rst resilient means opposing movement of said jaws toengaged position, a second resilient means opposing movement of saidfluid pressure operated means, a hollow injector nozzle having a reducedtip projectable through said contact surface into the opening in saidclosure member, second fluid pressure operated means operativelyconnected to said injector nozzle for moving said injector nozzle toprojected position, and means for inhibitinz movement of said injectornozzle toward projected position until said jaws have been moved toengaged position.

CAMILLE CLARE SPRANKLING LE CLAIR.'

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are of record in the ile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 120,693 Wood Nov. 7, 1871 660,894Ernst Oct. 30, i900 1,951,565 Sonnett Mar. 20, 1934i 2,047,132 WilliamsJuly 7, 19343 2,234,238 Forsberg Mar. 11, 1941 2,259,977 Kelly Oct. 21,194.1 2,328,327 Cobb Aug. 31, 1943 2,337,454 Davis Dec. 21, 1943

